1. AWO YORUBA
THE LANGUAGE OF IFĂ
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
USED IN IFĂ DIVINATION
Awo Faâlokun Fatunmbi
Egbe Iwa Pele
2.
3. Introduction
In order to understand the oral tradition of Ifa it is necessary to
have some grasp of the language of Ifa. The rituals, invocations,
incantations and recitations of traditional Yoruba religion are not
expressed through conversational Yoruba. The language of Ifa is
liturgical Yoruba (ofo ase), a language used among diviners to express
transcendant ideas. Many of the words used in Ifa have a tonal
resonance used to access the power of Spirit. Physics teaches the idea
that all power in the universe is part of a sign wave which is the full
spectrum of light. Every segment of the sign wave manifests as both
color and pitch. The tonal quality of words used in liturgical Yoruba
places the diviner in harmonic resonance with the tonal essence of a
wide range of Spiritual Forces (Orisa). The remarkable quality of
liturgical Yoruba is that the words used for invocation also carry
meaning that reveals the inner essense of the Spiritual Force itself.
For example, the word Obatala is used to describe the Force in
Nature science calls white light. Ifa teaches that everything in the
universe has some form of consciousness (ori). Saying the word Obatala
places human consciousness in alighnment with the consciousness of
white light. It does while telling us something about the quality of white
light. The word Obatala is an eliysian of the phrase; O (Spirit) ba (power
of expansion or male energy ie; Baba) ota (stone) ala (light). The word
4. Obatala in the context of Odu Ifa (Yoruba Scripture) means; the Spirit of
the expansive quality of light that comes from the eternal stone of
Creation (center point of the universe).
Olatunde Sproye in his book Yoruba without Tears states there are
one hundred and twenty-six combinations of vowels and consonants
used as the basis for the Yoruba Language.
ba be be bi bo bo bu da de de di do do du fa fe fe fi fo
fo fu ga ge ge gi go go gu gba gbe gbe gbi gbo gbo gbu
ha he he hi ho ho hu ja je je ji jo jo ju ka ke ke ki ko ko
ku la le le li lo lo lu ma me me mi mo mo mo mu na ne
ne ni no no nu pa pe pe pi po po pu ra re re ri ro ro ru
sa se se si so so su ta te te ti to to tu wa we we wi wo
wo wu ya ye ye yi yo yo yu
All Yoruba words are a combination of these fundamental sounds.
One of the rules of Yourba language construction is that portions of a
word can be doubled for a change in emphasis, for example; ba
(expansive power) baba (father) babagba or baba baba (grandfather).
Doubling a word refers to its source or parent, for example Dada (Spirit
of Vegitation) would be the parent of da (create). Repeating the word da
(create) suggests recreation or the power of vegitation to continiously go
throw the process of birth, growth, death and rebirth.
5. If we double each of the one hundred and twenty-six combinations
used as the basis for Yoruba language we get two hundred and fifty-two
fundamental linguistic buiding blocks. Ifa scripture is based on two
hundred and fifty six fundamental principles. The first four principles
represent the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. These four principles
support the rest of Creation. The rest of Creation comes into being
through the manifestation of two hundred and fifty two Forces in Nature.
This suggests to me the foundation of Yoruba language has been linked
to Odu Ifa from itâs inception.
The first Yoruba English dictionaries were prepared by Christian
missionaries who had no understanding or desire to learn the spiritual
mysteries preserved in the Yoruba language. When Ifa and Orisa spread
through the Diaspora it was influenced by non African religions
concepts. I believe the best way to uncover the fundamental principles of
Ifa as it was originally invisioned is through a study of the liturgical
language.
When I wrote the book Iwa-pele I looked up the word Ifayabale in
the Yoruba English dictionary in an effort to better understand a
metaphysical concept. The dictionary defined Ifayabale as the
ascenscion of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. I believe the word
predates Christianity and this definition is in error. To me the word
Ifayabale is an eliysian of Ifa (wisdom) iya (mother) baba (father) ile
(earth), meaning; the wisdom of the fathers and mothers found on earth.
6. This glossary is a preliminary attempt to understand Ifa theology
through an understanding of Yoruba language. The words were taken
from Odu Ifa as it is recited in Ile Ife and most of the vocabulary reflects
the dialect of that particular region. I am sure many of my definitions
will change as my understanding of Ifa and Yoruba language grows. This
should not be considered a definitive study. Hopefully it will serve as a
point of departure for theological linquistic analysis. Bit by bit we eat the
head of the rat.
Ase o
Awo Faâlokun Fatunmbi
21. akĂłkĂČ ti obinrin Female puberty rite, meaning: "season of becoming a
woman."
akĂłkĂČ ti okunrin Male puberty rite, meaning: "season of becoming a
man."
A - kĂČ - mĂČ - Ăł - tĂĄn Praise name for the Spirit of Destiny (ĂrĂșnmĂŹlĂ ),
meaning: "Not to Have Full Knowledge of You is to Fail."
akĂłni Teacher.
akoni Brave warrior, a strong person who may be remembered as a
deified ancestor, the word is also used to suggest that something is true.
The word is used to describe the Spirit of the Warriors (Ibora).
ako - ojo Five day week that is used as the basis for the IfĂĄ calender of
ritual events.
akun Religious bead.
akĂșnlĂšbo Kneeling to worship.
Ă kĂșnlĂšyĂ n Destiny as choice, or the act of free will.
Ă kĂșnlĂšgbĂ Destiny which is altered by free will.
akunnu Fruitful, productive.
alĂĄ Owner.
ĂlĂĄ Light in the Spiritual sense of that which brings illumination or
enlightenment, also a reference to the Spirit of Light, also refers to
white cloth in both literal and symbolic terms. The symbol of white cloth
is a reference to moral purity.
Ă lĂ White cloth, dream, effective dreamer, one who has visions while
sleeping. In IfĂĄ scripture white cloth is a symbolic reference to dreams
and mystic vision.
AlĂĄĂĄĂ nĂș Spirit that helps shape consciousness prior to birth, meaning:
"The Merciful One."
alĂĄĂ fia A greeting that means peace, good fortune and abundance.
AlĂĄĂ fin The traditional title for the King of Oyo, chief Priest of the
Council of elders (Ogboni).
27. ĂrĂwĂĄ North, also refers to Spirits of the North.
ariwo Hook, noise depending on context.
ariwowo Hook.
aro Sadness.
arĂł Indigo dye used to color cloth.
aro Plant used in IfĂĄ for protection from death (Crossopoteryx Febrifuga),
disabled person sacred to the Spirit of the King of White Cloth (ObĂ tĂĄlĂĄ).
arĂČn Worm.
Ar oni Spirit of the forest, elemental spirit with the body of a human
and the head of a dog.
Aronimoja Elemental spirit of the forest.
arĂČn ĂŹro Hernia.
arĂłso Material used to wrap around the body as a dress, frequently
used when dancing for the Forces in Nature.
arugbo Old person.
ArĂșku Spirit who transforms and elevates the spirit of the ancestors.
Ă rĂčn Illness or disease.
arĂčn ara Illness of the body.
arĂčn eegun Illness of the bones.
arĂčn ĂšjĂš Illness of the blood.
asĂĄn Afternoon.
Ă saro Meditation.
Ă sĂĄsĂ Hexing.
asĂšje Food prepared as medicine.
Ă sĂ Custom, tradition.
35. bĂČrĂČkĂŹnnĂ Gentleman, well behaved person.
bĂłyĂĄ - bĂłyĂĄ Perhaps, maybe.
bu Dip.
bĂș To cut.
burĂș Bad, negative, destructive.
burĂșkĂș Place of extreme confusion, describes a condition of
consciousness in which there is little hope for spiritual transformation,
also means very bad, very negative, very destructive.
45. E
e You.
ĂšbĂĄ Boiled gari, vicinity depending on context.
Ăšbi Fault, guilt.
ĂšbĂ Family.
ĂšbĂĄdĂł The bank of the river, sacred to the Spirit of the River (Osun).
ĂšbĂĄti Temple, sacred shrine.
ebe Request.
ebo Life force offering to either Forces of Nature (ĂrĂŹsĂ ) or ancestors
(EgĂșn).
Ăšbora Strong, brave man, also a reference to the Forces of Nature
(ĂrĂŹsĂ ), that provide protection, ie the Divine Messenger (ĂsĂș), the
Spirit of the Guardian of Consciousness (Osun), the Spirit of the Tracker
(ĂsĂłĂČsĂŹ), and the Spirit of Iron (ĂgĂșn).
ebĂčn Gift.
ebura tapa IfĂĄ herb (Nupe Egungun ).
eburu Destructive elemental spirit.
eda Creature.
ĂdĂĄn A rod or a staff, also the name of the male aspect of the Spirit of
the Earth (Onile).
ĂdĂĄn Ă rĂĄ Thunderstone, sacred to the Spirit of Lightning (SĂ ngĂł).
Ăšda - Ăłro A pun, commonly used in IfĂĄ scripture to make a spiritual
point through the use of humor.
edĂčn Ax, sacred to the Spirit of Lightning (Sango).
ĂšfĂš Singing and clowning during ceremonies honoring the Maternal
Ancestors (Gelede), also refers to making a joke.
50. esin Horse.
esisu Queen aunt, used in some forms of IfĂĄ medicine.
ĂštĂš Leprosy.
etĂč Guinea hen, sacred to the Spirit of Destiny (ĂrĂșnmĂŹlĂ ) and the
Spirit of the Wind (Oya).
ĂštĂč IfĂĄ medicine that is burned on a fire.
ewĂ Beauty.
ĂšwĂ Beans.
ĂšwĂš Also.
ewon IfĂĄ herb (Acacia ataxacantha ).
ĂšwĂČn Chain.
ĂšyĂ Cultural group of people.
eyin Egg.
F
fa To pull.
fĂĄ To wipe, or to clean.
fĂ To pull.
fadĂĄkĂ Silver, sacred to IfĂĄ.
fĂ fose To predict the future.
fĂ fĂČsese The use of ritual to transform problems.
faiya To charm or allure.
farabalĂš To be calm.
62. igunnuko Tall cylindrical mask for the Spirit of the Ancestors (EgĂșn).
iherehere Bit by bit. (First word in IfĂĄ scripture ie: "Bit by bit we eat
the head of the rat."
ihĂČ Hole.
ihoho Naked, undressed.
ija Fight.
ĂŹjĂĄbĂ Trouble, difficulty.
ĂŹjagun Warfare, combat.
ĂŹjakĂĄdi Martial art, a form of wrestling.
ĂjĂĄlĂĄ Songs used by hunters to praise the memory of their Ancestors
(EgĂșn), who were also hunters.
ĂŹjĂ nbĂČn Trouble.
ijanwon Scraps.
ĂŹjĂ pĂĄ Turtle, an aspect of the Divine Messenger (ĂsĂș) who
communicates directly with the Spirit of Lightning (SĂ ngĂł).
ijatijati Dead fruit of a palm tree.
ijetĂ Day before yesterday.
iji Fear, also a reference to thunder storms, the voice of the Spirit of the
Wind (Oya).
ĂŹjĂł Dance.
ĂŹjo - ara - eni - lĂłjĂș The concept of self, the conscious self
ĂŹjĂČkĂčn Stem used as rope.
ĂŹjĂČyĂš Chief.
ĂŹjoĂș Jealousy.
ĂŹjosĂ The other day.
72. Iyawo ale Evening star, Spirit of the Evening Star.
iye Number, value.
iyekan Ancestors of the Father.
ĂŹyĂšrĂš Chanting verses (OdĂč) of IfĂĄ oral scripture.
iyi Glory.
ĂŹyĂ This.
iyin Praise.
iyo. Rejoice.
ĂŹyonu Trouble, worry.
iyĂčn Beads worn by chiefs.
75. kĂ To read, to count, to be placed on depending on context.
kĂĄ To reap, to pluck.
kĂĄbĂ Dress.
kĂ dĂĄrĂ Destiny.
KĂĄbiyĂšsĂ Greeting of respect to a king (Oba).
KĂĄbĂyĂšsĂŹlĂš Term of respect praising a chief or elder.
k'ĂĄgĂČ Asking permission to enter a house.
kaka Instead.
kalĂš To sit down.
kan To touch.
kĂĄn One.
kĂĄnjĂș To be in a hurry.
kĂĄnkan Any.
KĂĄ - mĂČ - Ăł - ka - lĂ Praise name for the Spirit of Destiny (ĂrĂșnmĂŹlĂ ),
meaning: "Whom to know is to be saved."
kanĂĄ To be on fire.
kĂ nĂ kĂ nĂ Catapult.
kangere Feeble.
Kanki Short pants.
KanlĂš Touch the earth, to reach the earth.
kĂĄnnĂĄĂ The same.
kĂĄri To go around.
kĂĄrĂČ Good morning.
kĂĄrĂčn To become sick.
77. kĂnĂŹdĂ What causes.
kiniun Lion.
Kiribiti All around.
kĂČ Not, to meet depending on context.
kĂł To gather.
kobokobo A whip that is used to symbolize the power of the Spirit of
Iron (ĂgĂșn).
kĂłkĂł Lump.
kĂČkĂł Coca.
kĂČkĂČrĂČ Germ that causes disease.
kĂłĂČro Entirely, completely.
koriko Grass.
KorĂ Spirit who creates the calabash of the inner self. Usually
worshipped by small children.
KĂłrira To hate.
korĂČ To be bitter.
koto Hollow or hole depending on context.
kĂČ To reject.
ko To write, to sing, light from lightning, sacred to the Spirit of
Lightning (SĂ ngĂł).
kĂł To hang up.
koja To pass.
kĂłkĂłrĂł Key, sacred to the Divine Messenger (ĂsĂș).
kolĂĄ Lineage scares on the face, back and shoulders.
78. kĂČla Bitter kola nut, sacred to most Forces in Nature (ĂrĂŹsĂ ) and used
in IfĂĄ for a simplified form of divination.
kolobo Sore throat.
kĂČnkĂČ Bullfrog.
kĂłni To teach, to give instruction.
kĂł - nĂŹlĂĄ - abĂš Circumcision.
kĂČĂČkan Each, one each.
korin To sing.
kĂłsĂłrĂ To memorize.
ku To die.
kutute Stump of a tree.
kukunduku Yam.
kĂșkĂșrĂș Short.
kun To divide into parts, to set on fire depending on context.
kĂșn To be full.
kunle Kneel to the ground as a gesture of respect to either a sacred
shrine or an elder.
kunrin To sing.
kĂșrĂș To be short.
kurĂșkurĂș Fog.
Kurumu Round or spherical shape.
L
lĂ To appear.